I found a very helpful article for screenwriters by Alan Denman. In “Why Writers should learn about Production” he talks about what you can learn from understanding how films are produced. You cannot become a good screenwriter unless you have a firm grasp of all the major aspects of production. Then you will understand much better what you are writing because film production is a complex and collaborative process involving many skills where you, as the writer, are but one member of the team.

I haven’t written about my work for a while. So… what have I been doing for the past year and a half? Well… I’ve been writing a screenplay, and I became so involved with it that it took up almost all of my time.

This is my first original feature film screenplay, and I have had a great time writing it. It’s been very hard work, but I am happy to say that I am right now finishing the final draft.

Then, read this article I found on Alex Epstein‘s blog Complications Ensue. It will help you answer the two questions to ask yourself before going onto the second draft. And will also make you realize that there is no such thing as a second draft, because every draft is a first draft, until you shoot it.

Look what I found on screenwritingu! On Saturday, June 18, 2011 Hal Croasmun will give a free two hours Teleconference about rewriting. He will cover different matters giving you valuable tools for improving your script.

From July 31 to August 1, 2010 in the very heart of Hollywood, California is the 14th Annual HOLLYWOOD PITCH FESTIVAL. Sponsored by Fade In Magazine, the Hollywood Pitch Festival brings together more than 200 major film and TV industry players, including studio, development, and creative executives, as well as producers, casting directors, agents, and managers. Emerging filmmakers, screenwriters, novelists and on-camera talent attend the Pitch Fest to take one-on-one, seven-minute-long meetings to make vital industry connections and directly present screenplays, books, ideas, and more, to the Pitch Fest’s illustrious roster of decision-makers. While the Pitch Fest schedule is entirely dedicated to pitch meetings, this year’s event also includes one complimentary pitch class to help participants hone their presentations, as well as the opportunity to network at a cocktail party.

The New York Times hails the Pitch Fest as the industry’s “answer to speed dating,” and adds that it offers “a rare chance to breach the barricades that bar the door to Hollywood; many of the companies involved – UTA, CAA, WME, ICM, Paramount, HBO, Warner Bros., Lionsgate, etc. – normally refuse to accept unsolicited ideas or scripts.” Previous participants have had tremendous success, with over 300 gaining agency and management representation and more than 100 screenplays sold and optioned, including BORN TO SHOP (Fox), THE MEDDLERS (Warner Bros.), DOGGY STYLE (Silver Lion Pictures), CROSSING THE LINE (Trancas Films), and IF ONLY (ABC).